Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

Ningzhou Municipal Party Committee Building.

This is a majestic building, entirely covered with silver-gray glass curtain walls, reflecting a cold and solemn light in the afternoon sun.

It's like a giant beast coiled in the city center, overlooking the endless stream of traffic below, silently proclaiming its majesty as the city's power center.

Liu Ming stood at the bottom of the steps in front of the building and looked up at the huge national emblem hanging above the main entrance.

"call……"

He let out a soft breath, straightened his collar, picked up the simple suitcase, and stepped forward.

This is his new battlefield.

Compared to the bustling and lively atmosphere of the Qingyun County Party Committee compound, the first impression this place gives is—**cold**.

A cold atmosphere characterized by strict systems, clear hierarchies, and aloofness.

Stepping into the spacious and bright hall, the air conditioning was on full blast. People coming and going were dressed in sharp suits or uniforms, walking briskly with their eyes fixed straight ahead, and even the sound of their footsteps seemed to be suppressed by some invisible rule.

Following the signs, Liu Ming arrived at the "Cadre Registration Area" on the third floor.

This is a semi-open office. Behind the large counter sits a young clerk with black-rimmed glasses and slicked-back hair.

At this moment, he was sitting with his legs crossed, humming a little tune while scrolling through short videos on his phone, occasionally letting out a suppressed, strange laugh.

On the table was a sign that read "Service Temporarily Suspended".

Liu Ming glanced at the clock on the wall.

2:30 p.m.

It was during the legally mandated working hours.

"Hello there."

Liu Ming stepped forward and gently knocked on the counter. "I'm here to register."

The young clerk seemed not to hear, not even lifting his eyelids, his fingers still rapidly swiping across the screen.

Liu Ming frowned slightly and emphasized, "Comrade, hello, I'm here to report for duty."

This time, the young staff member finally responded.

He clicked his tongue impatiently, slowly put down his phone, and looked Liu Ming up and down with an extremely critical and arrogant gaze.

He was twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed plainly, carrying an old suitcase, looking travel-worn.

In the municipal party committee compound, there are usually only two types of people with this image.

One type is people who come to deliver packages.

One type is the unfortunate intern who just got in and is still in the probationary period.

"What are you yelling about? Can't you see we're busy?"

The young clerk rolled his eyes and pointed to the sign on the table. "Can't you read? Processing suspended!"

"It's working hours now," Liu Ming said calmly.

"What's wrong with working hours? Don't I have to tidy up my personal belongings? Don't I have to study documents?"

The clerk scoffed, picked up his phone again, and said sarcastically, "These young people nowadays, they don't understand any manners. They've just joined the office and they're already trying to kill us? Just you wait!"

After saying that, he changed the position of his crossed legs and continued watching videos, completely ignoring Liu Ming.

Liu Ming looked at him, her eyes gradually turning cold.

It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.

Is this what Old Fan meant by "the city is a deep place"?

Before you even step inside, they'll give you a hard time, just to test your patience?

He didn't get angry, nor did he argue.

He simply took out the letter of introduction bearing the bright red seal of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department from his pocket and gently placed it on the counter.

"I'm here to take up my new job. Could you please complete the formalities?"

The clerk glanced at the letter of introduction, not even bothering to pick it up and look at it, and casually pulled out a form from the side and threw it in front of Liu Ming.

"Fill out the form!"

"After you've filled it out, go wait on that chair over there! I'll process it for you whenever I'm done with my work!"

Liu Ming glanced at the form.

"Registration Form for Interns in Government Agencies and Public Institutions in Ningzhou City"

He smiled.

"Are you sure you want me to fill this out?"

"Nonsense!" the clerk snapped without looking up. "What else are you going to fill out? Do you expect me to fill out a resume for a bureau-level cadre? Take a good look at yourself! Just graduated, right? Which school did you go to? Don't you understand the rules of our department? Just fill it out, stop with the nonsense!"

Liu Ming did not speak again.

He picked up the pen, which the clerk saw as a sign of "giving in."

But he did not fill out the form.

He simply drew a... **turtle** on the back of that piece of paper.

Then, he took the paper, walked to the bench next to him, and sat down.

He wanted to see how long this clueless brat could keep him waiting.

……

Time passed, second by second.

three o'clock.

Four o'clock.

Five o'clock.

For the entire afternoon, that clerk played on his phone, drank tea, and flirted with his female colleague next door.

During this time, several portly officials, who were clearly of some rank, also came to handle some business.

The clerk immediately changed his attitude, bowing and scraping, smiling broadly, and working with astonishing efficiency. He even took the initiative to see the person out.

But the moment he turned his head and saw Liu Ming, his face instantly became even longer than a donkey's.

"What are you looking at? We're not finished yet! Wait!"

This blatant discrimination, this undisguised harassment—if it were the old Liu Ming, she probably would have smashed this counter to pieces long ago.

But now, he is calm.

He is counting.

Let's count how many times this clerk violated the rules.

5:30.

The workday bell rang.

The clerk stretched and slowly packed his things, preparing to leave.

He glanced at Liu Ming, who was still sitting in the chair, and a mocking sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, you're still here? You're quite patient."

He picked up his bag, walked up to Liu Ming, and said condescendingly, "Alright, I'm off work today, the system's closed. Come back tomorrow. Oh, by the way, I have a meeting tomorrow morning and a training session in the afternoon, so you'd better... come back the day after tomorrow."

This is a joke!

This is blatant manipulation!

He just wanted to see this "newcomer" bow his head in front of him, beg for mercy, offer him a cigarette, and call him "brother."

The thrill of trampling on the dignity of newcomers was the only source of pleasure for a low-level clerk like him in this hierarchical compound.

however.

Liu Ming did not react with anger or pleading as he had expected.

Liu Ming slowly stood up.

He was a full head taller than that clerk.

The oppressive feeling, as real as that of someone who had fought on the battlefield, instantly enveloped the clerk.

The clerk's smile froze. He instinctively took a step back and shouted, his voice trembling with fear, "You... what do you think you're doing? This is the municipal party committee building! You dare to cause trouble?"

"Reckless behavior?"

Liu Ming smiled and gently patted the form with the turtle drawing on it onto the clerk's chest.

"I've been waiting for you all afternoon."

"You have been given three hours and forty-five minutes."

"Unfortunately, you didn't seize the opportunity."

Liu Ming's voice was very soft, yet it carried a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.

"The game is over now."

"It's time for you to end this."

"Are you... are you crazy?" The clerk was terrified by his gaze, slapped the paper away, and turned to call security.

Just then.

A series of hurried and frantic footsteps came from the end of the corridor.

"Secretary Liu! Where is Secretary Liu?"

A middle-aged man in a white shirt, sweating profusely and panting heavily, was running and shouting anxiously.

Upon hearing the voice, the clerk trembled, and a fawning expression instantly appeared on his face.

That's... **the mayor's secretary, Chief Secretary Zhao**!

This is a real big shot in the municipal party committee compound! Even bureau chiefs treat him with utmost respect!

"Secretary Zhao! What brings you here?"

The clerk rushed forward like a lapdog, pointing at Liu Ming and complaining, "You've come at the right time! There's a newbie who doesn't know the rules, refusing to leave and trying to cause trouble! I was just about to call security..."

"Smack—!!!"

A crisp slap echoed throughout the corridor!

The clerk covered his face, which had suddenly swelled up, completely stunned by the blow, and stared incredulously at the furious Secretary Zhao.

"Zhao... Secretary Zhao..."

"Get out of here! Are you blind?!"

Secretary Zhao shoved him away without even glancing at him.

He rushed straight to Liu Ming, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his brow, and first gave her a deep ninety-degree bow, his tone filled with fear and apology:

"Secretary Liu! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"I am Mayor Lu's secretary, Zhao Gang!"

"The mayor heard you were coming to report for duty today, so he specially asked me to pick you up! But there was traffic on the way, so I'm late! I'm sorry to have troubled you!"

"boom--!"

The clerk who was covering his face felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind!

Secretary Liu...?!

Mayor Lu... personally sent someone to pick him up?!

he……

Isn't he an intern?

How did you become a Party Secretary so quickly?

He looked at the calm young man, then at the respectful Secretary Zhao, and his legs went weak, collapsing to the ground with a thud.

It’s over.

This time, we've really bitten off more than we can chew!

Liu Ming looked at Zhao Gang, then glanced at the clerk on the ground who was already terrified, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Secretary Zhao, you flatter me."

"Where did I suffer any injustice?"

"This comrade is so 'conscientious and responsible' that I spent the whole afternoon here 'learning'... how to cultivate inner strength."